The 2023 F1 season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5 and concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 26. With newcomers like Qatar and Las Vegas joining the circuit, this season boasts a record-breaking 24 races, promising even more thrilling action than before. However, Formula 1 streaming services are limited to specific countries. While some providers allow free live streaming of F1 races, you may encounter restrictions if you’re outside of the designated viewing areas. But don’t worry; with a VPN, you can bypass these restrictions and enjoy F1 races from anywhere in the world.
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Belgium
- Access via RTBF via Belgium and Create a Free Account
- ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
- NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
- SurfShark
: Impressive Experience with Fast-growing Emerging VPN
Streaming Services Broadcasting F1 Live
F1 fans have a range of streaming services to choose from. For free viewing, we highly recommend RTBF.
Streaming Services | Streaming Content | Country |
RTBF | All races are available for free. (Note: Commentary is in French only.) | Belgium |
ORF and ServusTV | ORF is streaming 11 races for free, including the Japanese GP. On the other hand, Servus TV will broadcast the remaining 12 races. (Note: Commentary is in German only.) | Austria |
Channel 4 | Offers highlights of all races for free. (English commentary.) | United Kingdom |
Formula 1 YouTube channel | Provides highlights of all races for free. (English commentary.) | United Kingdom |
F1 TV | Formula 1’s official streaming platform. While there is a subscription fee, the content includes all live races, as well as pre-race and post-race live shows. Commentary is available in multiple languages, including English, German, and French. Keep in mind that the availability of a free trial depends on your region. For instance, the US does not offer a free trial. | Worldwide |
NOW | Provides live coverage of all races, with English commentary. While there’s a subscription fee, they offer a day pass if you just want to watch a specific race, like the Abu Dhabi GP. Alternatively, consider their seven-day free trial. | United Kingdom |
DAZN | This paid streaming service is available in several countries including the US, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan. It broadcasts all races with commentary in various languages. | Worldwide |
How to Watch F1 Live For Free Online
Although RTBF offers F1 streaming for free, it’s unfortunately geo-restricted to Belgium. However, there’s a workaround. By using a VPN, you can trick RTBF into thinking you’re accessing it from within Belgium, even if you’re on the other side of the globe. This bypasses the geo-block, letting you stream F1 smoothly. Similarly, if ORF and ServusTV are your go-to channels, simply connect your VPN to a server in Austria.No account sign-ups needed for ORF and ServusTV.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s a step-by-step guide on accessing RTBF using ExpressVPN—one of our top VPN picks.
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Belgium
- Access via RTBF via Belgium and Create a Free Account
STEP1. Register with ExpressVPN
To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Get ExpressVPN” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.

STEP2. Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Belgium
After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Next, click “…” in the app and type “Belgium” in the search box. Now, you can find a server in Belgium.

Select a server and click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in Belgium.

STEP3. Access RTBF via Belgium and Create a Free Account
Start by accessing RTBF through a Belgium server and select the live streaming video you want to watch.

You’ll be prompted with a below screen. Look for a yellow button on this screen and click it.

To watch content on RTBF, you’ll need an account. Good news is, if you already have a Facebook or Google account, you’re set! Simply click on “Continue avec Facebook” or “Continue avec Google” to start streaming. If you’re not on Facebook or Google, choose the bottom button to sign up.

A registration screen will appear. Here, you can input your details.
- Password
- First name
- Last name
- Postal code
- Date of birth
You should fill in the postcode field with a Belgium postcode, like “1000” which is the postcode for Bruxelles-Capital Palace.

Once you’ve filled out the information, you’ll get an email from RTBF. Check your email, find the confirmation button and click it. Once your email is verified, log into RTBF and enjoy the races!
What’s the F1 Schedule for 2023?
The action-packed 2023 F1 season promises thrilling races across various iconic circuits. Here’s the full schedule:
Date | Round | Location |
Feb 23-25 | Testing | Sakhir |
Mar 03-05 | Round 1 | Bahrain |
Mar 17-19 | Round 2 | Saudi Arabia |
Mar-Apr 31-02 | Round 3 | Australia |
Apr 28-30 | Round 4 | Azerbaijan |
May 05-07 | Round 5 | United States |
May 19-21 | Round 6 | Italy |
May 26-28 | Round 7 | Monaco |
Jun 02-04 | Round 8 | Spain |
Jun 16-18 | Round 9 | Canada |
Jun-Jul 30-02 | Round 10 | Austria |
Jul 07-09 | Round 11 | Great Britain |
Jul 21-23 | Round 12 | Hungary |
Jul 28-30 | Round 13 | Belgium |
Aug 25-27 | Round 14 | Netherlands |
Sep 1-3 | Round 15 | Italy |
Sep 15-17 | Round 16 | Singapore |
Sep 22-24 | Round 17 | Japan |
Oct 06-08 | Round 18 | Qatar |
Oct 20-22 | Round 19 | United States |
Oct 27-29 | Round 20 | Mexico |
Nov 03-05 | Round 21 | Brazil |
Nov 16-18 | Round 22 | United States |
Nov 24-26 | Round 23 | Abu Dhabi |
FAQ
Can I use a free VPN?
Yes, however we don’t recommend to use free VPNs because free VPNs are not recommended because of security issues that have been pointed out, such as not knowing how logs of browsing history. In addition, line speeds are often unstable, so a paid service is recommended. Paid services have a money-back guarantee, so if you are dissatisfied with the service, you can get your money back within a period of time.
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN: Making the Right Choice for Your Security
Is it legal to watch RTBF with VPNs?
Using VPNs to watch RTBF is legal. VPNs are widely used by individuals to protect their private information and other online activity.
Best VPN services for watching F1 Live online
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds

Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month |
Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
Countries | 105 |
Servers | 3,000+ |
Maximum devices supported | 8 |
ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. ExpressVPN is consistently found by review sites to be one of the fastest VPNs. Furthermore, they have more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries, so you have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. We have confirmed that you can even connect to servers in China, where restrictions are strong. As discussed earlier in this article, ExpressVPN has servers in Belgium, so you can use it to watch RTBF.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Place a high importance on internet speed
- Want a stable connection from China
▼Official Site▼
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed

Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month |
Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
Countries | 60 |
Servers | 5,800+ |
Maximum devices supported | 6 |
NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN also has servers in Belgium, so it’s great for those who are looking to watch for TV programs on RTBF.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- Want to balance price and internet speed
- Want to use the VPN with the greatest market share
▼Official Site▼
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price

Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
Countries | 100 |
Servers | 3,200+ |
Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Surfshark offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Just like the other VPNs, Surfshark also has servers in Belgium.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Who are budget conscious
- Who want to connect with lots of devices
▼Official Site▼
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Conclusion
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in the Belgium
- Access via RTBF via the Belgium and Create a Free account
- ExpressVPN: Recommended for those who need higher internet speed
- NordVPN: Recommended for those who want to balance price and internet speed
- SurfShark
: Recommended for those on a budget